Stories Archive - Page 158 of 164 - Shaftesbury Remembers the Great War

Reginald Stanley White

Surname: White

Other names: Reginald Stanley

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Simla, India
Delhi Memorial (India Gate)
Byron Street, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. Mary's Church, Teddington, Middlesex

Story:
Reginald Stanley White was born in 1880 in Shaftesbury and baptised at the Parish Church there on 11th April, 1880. He was the son of James Augustus White, a Tailor & Outfitter, and Mary Ann Bennett White (née Norton). "Stanley", as he was known, attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from January 1892 to April 1896. On leaving school he entered the Post Office in Feb 1899. His mother died in 1904. On 6th February, 1907, he married Gertrude Dorothy Belton at St. Mary's Church, Teddington, Middlesex, and in 1908 a son, Reginald Cedric Belton White, was born. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was a Post Office Worker and living at 49 Byron Street, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. He enlisted as a Sapper in the 17th Division, Signal Company, of the Royal Engineers (Service No. 182011). He served in Simla, India, as a telegraphist and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. On 25th June 1919 he died of enteric fever at Simla, India, and was buried at Tank Cemetery No. 54. His name also appears on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate) (Face 1). He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His wife, who remained a widow throughout her life thereafter, was in receipt of his financial effects as well as an initial pension of £1. 16s. 8d. (£1.88p.) per week. As a former pupil his name appears as "S.White" on the Shaftesbury Grammar School memorial in Shaftesbury School. His name was also included on a hand written list of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving during the war. An asterix can be seen next to Stanley's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum. Printed Sources: Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1919

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Shastonian

Leslie Reginald Wightman

Surname: Wightman

Other names: Leslie Reginald

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Sains-les-Marquion British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Derby Road, North End, Portsmouth, Hants
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Sunderland
St. Jude's Church, Portsea, Portsmouth

Story:
Leslie Reginald Wightman was born 0n 3rd August, 1890 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 5th October, 1890. He was the son of James John Wightman, a commercial traveller, and Agnes Emma Wightman (nee Johnson) - Agnes was from Shaftesbury. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a clerk salesman and living at 52 Derby Road, North End, Portsmouth, Hampshire. Leslie appeared before a Military Tribunal claiming exemption from Military Service but this was refused in February, 1916. On 25th April, 1916 he married Winifred Mary Cripps by licence at St. Jude's Church, Portsea, Portsmouth. He is described in the Register as a "Commercial Traveller, now Sapper, R.E." Up until this time he had been employed by Carr & Co, Biscuit Manufacturer of Sunderland. Leslie's father died in 1916 in Portsmouth. Leslie had enlisted in Portsmouth as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers (Service No. 2798). He transferred firstly to the 25th Battalion and later to the 8th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers (Service No. 47062) and is shown on all records as a Lance Corporal except on the WGC records. He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was killed in action in France on 27th September 1918 whilst serving with the 25th Company of the 8th Battalion and was buried at Sains-les-Marquion British War Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. I.C.23). He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His wife was in receipt of his financial effects in due course and his mother, Agnes, was granted a pension. His wife went on to remarry a Henry Cleeve in Fareham, Hampshire, in 1920. There were no children of either marriage.

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Herbert Stephen Wright

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Warwickshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Wright

Other names: Herbert Stephen

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Motcombe, Dorset
St. John's Church, Enmore Green

Story:
Herbert Stephen Wright was born in 1899 in Shaftesbury. He was the son of James William Wright, a horse dealer's groom, and Emily Wright (née Love). His father died on 20th September, 1907. The family had lived at 72 St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset. At the time of the 1911 Census he was at school yet working as an errand boy and living in Enmore Green. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private in the 2/7th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regt (Service No. 35211). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 13th April 1918 and was buried at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. IX.B.14). He is remembered on the Park Walk, Enmore Green and St. James’ war memorials in Shaftesbury and on the Motcombe War Memorial. He also appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. There is also a record that he is remembered on his father's grave in St. John's Churchyard, Enmore Green. His brother, Harry Frederick Wright, also served but survived the conflict.

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Thomas William Wright

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Wright

Other names: Thomas William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Aval Wood Military Cemetery, Vieux-Berquin, Nord, France
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
St. James, Shaftesbury,
Tan Yard, St. James, Shaftesbury

Story:
William Thomas Wright was born in 1899 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James's Church, Shaftesbury, on 30th July, 1899. He was the son of Henry (Harry) Wright, a "Groom to Horse Dealer", and Eliza Wright (nee Foot). The family lived at 7 Tan Yard, St. James, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a scholar and living at 72 St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted in Shaftesbury as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. (Service No. 41253). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 30th June 1918 and was buried at Aval Wood Military Cemetery, Vieux-Berquin, Nord, France (grave id. I.BB.14). He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials. He also appears on the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His mother was granted a pension of 5s. (25p.) per week.

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Philip James Young

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment, Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Young

Other names: Philip James

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury, Dorset
France & Flanders
Fontaine-Au-Bois Communal Cemetery, Nord, France
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Philip James Young was born in 1889 in Shaftesbury, Dorset. He was the son of Henry Young, an engine smith, and Martha Young (née Critchell). At the time of the 1891 Census the family were living at 26 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. By 1911 Philip himself had moved to Windsor and was boarding out whilst working as a grocer's shop assistant. He enlisted back in Shaftesbury as a Private in the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 16112) and later transferred to the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (Service No.33667) where he was promoted to Lance Corporal. He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 28th October 1918 and was buried at Fontaine-Au-Bois Communal Cemetery, Nord, France (grave id. D.10). The inscription on the Park Walk War Memorial, Shaftesbury, gives his middle initial as "S" but all available information indicates that his middle name was James. His name also appears on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. Philip's brother Austin Henry (b.1885) served in the war with the Dorsetshire Regiment. On his discharge he applied to the War Graves Commission to be employed as a gardener's labourer in the graveyards in France. By the 1939 Register he was back in Shaftesbury and noted as 'incapacitated'.

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Austin Henry Young

Ernest John Foot

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Field Artillery /by Ann Symons

Surname: Foot

Other names: Ernest John

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle, Somme, France
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury

Story:
Ernest John Foot was born on 9th June, 1892 in Shaftesbury and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 10th July, 1892. He was the son of William Foot, a postman, and Sarah Emily Foot (nee Hoskings). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a cabinet maker and living at 50 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted as a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery (Service No. 238241). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 27th August 1918 whilst serving with 'B' Battery, 122nd Brigade, RFA, and was buried at Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle, Somme, France (grave id. V.A.8). He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Reginald Robert Foot

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Royal Welsh Fusiliers /by Ann Symons

Surname: Foot

Other names: Reginald Robert

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
Limerick Military Hospital, Ireland
St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Dorset
France & Flanders
Ireland

Story:
Reginald Robert Foot was born in 1888 in Shaftesbury and baptised in St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Dorset, on 10th January, 1888. He was the son of Robert Foot, a tailor, and Annie Millicent Foot (nee Gould). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a carpenter and living at 42 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Service No. 39652) on 11th December, 1915 and put on Reserve. He was mobilized on 1st May, 1916, and posted to the 49th Battalion on 29th June, 1916, where he saw service in France & Flanders and later with the 3rd Battalion in Ireland. He was selected as a potential instructor on 2nd September, 1918, and promoted to Lance Corporal. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died on 7th February 1919, whilst serving with the 3rd Battalion, of influenza and pneumonia at Limerick Military Hospital, Ireland, and was eventually buried south of the church in Holy Trinity Churchyard. He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury .

Images:

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Harry Gray

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Devonshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Gray

Other names: Harry

Locations in this story:
Cann, Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, West Flanders, Belgium
St John's Hill, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Motcombe, Dorset
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury

Story:
Harry Gray was born on 19 Feb 1898 in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 28 Mar 1898. He was the son of John Thomas Gray, a carter, and Linda Louisa Gray (nee Jenkins). His siblings included Sidney Charles, (b.1890), who also died in the war and Frank (b. 1895) who served in the Royal Navy until his final discharge in 1945. At the time of the 1911 Census Harry was single and at school living in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, the family later moving to St. Johns Hill, Shaftesbury. He enlisted as a Private in the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 18971) but later transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (New Service No. 30809). He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He died of wounds on 16th August 1917 and was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, West Flanders, Belgium (grave id. XVII.AA.12A). He is remembered on the Park Walk, Shaftesbury, the Enmore Green and St. James’ war memorials in Shaftesbury. His name also appears on the Motcombe War Memorial, the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Sidney Charles Gray

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Dorsetshire Regiment /by Ann Symons

Surname: Gray

Other names: Sidney Charles

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
Mesopotamia
Basra War Memoria, Iraql
Enmore Green, Shaftesbury
St. James' Church, Shaftesbury
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Motcombe, Dorset

Story:
Sidney Charles Gray was born in 1890 in Shaftesbury and baptised at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 31st August, 1890. He was the son of John Gray, an agricultural labourer, and Linda Louisa Gray (nee Jenkins). His siblings included Harry, (b.1898), who also died in the war and Frank (b. 1895) who served in the Royal Navy until discharged in 1945. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Mason's Labourer and living in Enmore Green. He had enlisted as a Territorial Private in the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 298) and was later called up for duty with the 1/4th Battalion (New Service No. 200156). He served in Mesopotamia and was awarded the Victory, British War and Territorial Forces War medals. He died on 28th September 1917 and his name appears on the Basra War Memorial, Iraq (Panel 22 & 63). He is remembered on the Park Walk, Enmore Green and St. James' war memorials in Shaftesbury. His name also appears on the Motcombe War Memorial, on the Roll of Honour inside St. James’ Church, on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives

Edwin William Greenway

3rd February 2017/in 1914-1918 Canadian Infantry /by Ann Symons

Surname: Greenway

Other names: Edwin William

Locations in this story:
Shaftesbury
France & Flanders
Canadian Cemetery No 2, Neuville-St Vaast, Near Arras, Pas de Calais, France
Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury
Toronto, Canada
St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury
Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury
Liverpool
Portland, Oregan, USA
St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, Shaftesbury

Story:
Edwin William Greenway was born in 1884 in Shaftesbury and baptised at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, on 24th August, 1884. He was the son of Alfred Henry Greenway, an insurance agent, and Maria Greenway (née Chubb). His mother died in 1907. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was single, working as a grocery assistant and living at 58 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. He sailed from Liverpool on SS Cymric bound for Portland, Oregan, USA, on 19th April, 1912, en-route for Canada.

Edwin enlisted in Toronto on 10th August, 1915, and joined the 109th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Service No. 163351). He transferred to the 84th Battalion and sailed for France on 18th June 1916 on board the SS Empress of Britain. He arrived in the UK on 29th June 1916 and embarked for France on 11th August, arriving in Rouen the following day. He took an NCO's course in the field from 21st January 1917, re-joining his unit on 10th February. He was wounded and gassed on 2nd March, 1917 and was admitted to the 13th Canadian Field Ambulance. He was discharged on 9th March and on 17th March was attached to the 75th Battalion and promoted to Corporal. He was killed in action on 9th April 1917 and buried at Canadian Cemetery No 2 Neuville-St Vaast, Near Arras, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. 1.C.11).

For his service in France and Flanders he was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial, Shaftesbury and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church.

Images:

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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives